Christmas In Damongo

Now that the anxiety and excitement of the Ghana presidential election is over, it’s time for the people of Damongo to do what they do best- celebrate the holiday season. The days before Christmas will be filled with events that will allow celebration, relaxation and joy. The Unity Centre and its hard-working staff are front and center as they close the year in style before regrouping and setting new goals for 2025.

The weekend of the 21^st kicked off with a double wedding of two men working for the Diocese, an accountant and a driver. Bishop Peter Paul officiated the special occasion at St. Theresa’s Parish Church. The ceremony itself was much more a vibrant celebration than the ritual that we are used to in the US. There is very heavily percussioned dancing, singing, and balloon decorations within the church itself; a nice blend of ceremony and the beginning of the reception which was held in the parking lot immediately after, where jollof rice (a national favorite) and chicken was served to all in attendance. Weddings here are very cost prohibitive to the couples relative to salaries. On top of that the groom must come up with a dowery for the bride’s family to satisfy tribal obligations. Hence, there is rarely any type of honeymoon, nor is there any help from parents or many gifts of money. The couples here are truly there to celebrate their commitment and love with all of their family and friends. Weddings like this are quite a sacrifice and I am always honored to take part. Best of luck to Evans and Vivian; Iraneus and Mildred! Cheers!

The following day, Sunday was the date of a revival of a past, yet discontinued, annual event- The Holiday Couples Dinner. From what I understand, this event was held in previous years and our Unity Centre leadership group has decided to revive it. We had approximately 75 people for this soon to be annual event, which featured dinner, drinks and music provide by a very interactive DJ. By any standards, it was very successful- certainly, a foundation for future annual events and a holiday staple.

The employee Christmas party capped off the long holiday weekend on Monday. The day began with a mass presided over by Bishop Peter Paul. The staff then gathered outside in the outside bar/restaurant area of the Unity Centre for the end of year celebration. Each employee was presented with gifts of food staples from the administration as well as a couple of drinks as a token of appreciation for the hard work provided in 2024. A good time was had by all.

Despite the fact that Damongo Christmas does not have all of the trappings we are so familiar with in the west- decorated trees and other nick-nacks, Black Friday sales and similar commercializations, Santa Claus, etc., my 2^nd Christmas here has been most gratifying. Frankly, I don’t miss those things. Here it is truly a time for true celebration; a time to renew friendship, to review the previous year and to commemorate the birth of Jesus. Certainly, I miss my American family, including my first grandchild who was born a month ago and who I will not see until early 2026. However, I feel that my ‘family’ continues to grow where I am, which makes me so grateful and growth is something we should all strive for. Here in Damongo, the Christmas spirit is fully present in the people. This is where I live now. I am thankful to carry all of you with me on my mission which is the reason why I know I will succeed. Peace and all good things to all of you and all you hold close. Merry Christmas!