Zooming...

I am zooming in on the ending of my time of rest and renewal.  For almost seven weeks I have been able to focus on myself, my family, my connection to God as I was exposed to various cultures on multiple levels.  As I reflect on my time, I am grateful.  Grateful for the rest, grateful for a church family who has carried on with grace and wisdom in the face of the “Lenten Quarantine”.  I am grateful to God for the unique opportunities I have had to learn about life in the Dominican Republic, Kenya and Ghana.
I am zooming in on the time when I will be back in the midst of my community, ready to re-connect and excited t learn of what my church family has been doing over these seven weeks.  I lok forward to sharing my experiences and to trying out new ways to be more of an intercultural congregation and not simply multicultural.
I am zooming in on the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, which we will all recognize differently this year.  But Easter is not cancelled!  It remains the central gift of hope from God.  No matter where we are n Sunday, we can proclaim, “He is risen!”
I am zooming in on signs of hope all around me:
...Dan is walking cane-free some of the time!

....families in Wuhan, China are able to hug one another and visit their friends again!  After 11 weeks. We too will come out on the other side.
...Spring is still blooming all around us. Since most of us are not enjoying the beautiful cherry trees in the church yard, I wanted to share a photo taken today.  Also note that the young trees planted by the city along the Winan’s Way corner are blooming for the first time!  Who knew they would be like little sisters to  the large cherry trees!

.....contact with friends and family often separated by the pace of our busy lives has been a joy.  

....all kinds of projects on “to do” lists are being tackled.

...a shifting culture of greater concern for the welfare of our closest neighbors

...and the best source of hope.....God is bigger than all of this.  Christ is risen.  Alleluia!

We are connected

Now the protective face mask is a symbol of a united front in the shared human experience, no matter the geographic, economic, or cultural location.  Coronavirus does not discriminate.  We are all in this together!  Our masks are made from old blue jeans!

What message would you like to give to your neighbors?

We watched an inspirational documentary about the life and mission of Emmanuel Ofoso Yeboah, a young man born in Koforidua, Ghana with a deformed leg.  He is determined to change the playing field in Ghana for the ‘disabled’, or better said, ‘differently abled’.  Check it out:  Emmanuel’s Gift, narrated by Oprah Winfrey.  A great option while staying at home!  

As we watched, we ate a Ghanaian light soup made with chicken and spices.  Delicious!  I have not mastered the art of making fufu yet, used as an accompaniment with stews and soups much like the “side of mashed potatoes” I grew up eating. I tried corn fufu with corn meal (tasty but dry) and yam/plantain fufu (tasty, but too moist and lumpy).  The Ghanaian fufu seeems related to the mangu in the Dominican Republic and the mukimo in Kenya.  Different, creative ways to serve starches with vegetables and spices, all bringing nourishment and strength.  

Thanks be to God for chefs around the world!